AFC St Austell (0) 3 Falmouth Town (0) 1

[midlandlilywhite]

A determined well organised Falmouth side made things very difficult for St Austell at Poltair today. Indeed they would have taken the lead on two occasions in the opening ten minutes but for an excellent goal line headed clearance by Harry Evans and soon after an excellent blocked save by Jason Chapman stopped a certain goal. St Austell themselves created a few chances but were thwarted by resolute defending and some excellent saves by Ryan Barnes in the Falmouth goal. 

After a half time "talk" by manager Phil Lafferty the Lillywhites were more aggressive and quicker on the ball. Substitute Chris Reski fired them into the lead in the 53rd minute following a great run into the box. Falmouth to their credit fought back and equalised five minutes later from a header from captain Joe Cooper after a defensive mix up. 

Reski was fouled outside the box in the 82nd minute, but amazingly the referee awarded a penalty which Reski himself converted to restore the lead. In the last minute of normal time a fine run and cross by Liam Eddy was finished in style by  Josh Grant  for 3-1. St Austell had more chances in stoppage time but were thwarted once again by more excellent saves by man of the mstch Barnes. 

St Austell - Chapman, Martin, Watts (Aston 67),  Pople, Williams, Giles, Evans ( Tinsley 78), Brokenshire, Eddh, Grant, Slateford (Reski 45), unused - Sims, Whetter. 

Falmouth - Barnes, Timmins, Clarke, Whipp, Pope, Killen, Wearne, Westgarth, Tripconey, Rhodes (wormington 76). Unused - Westlake, Fearn. 

Referee - S. Kane.      Attendance -  202 

 

[Mike Odgers]

Quietly impressed with Falmouth's first half performance -disciplined and organised and kept possesion better than St.Austell who gave the ball away too often.Probably edged the half on chances with a header cleared off the line and Westgarth slipping with the goal at his mercy-St.Austell had a great chance put over the bar when well placed.

Second half a more purposeful home team put the visitors on the back foot but the opening goal (53m) as substitute Reski pounced   but should have been easily cleared beforhand.

The Falmouth equalised on 57m when Chapman facing the low sun could only parry a free kick and skipper Joe Cooper was on hand to level.

Although St.Austell were in the ascendancy by now two decisions affected the game a Falmouth free kick which referee Mr,Kane planted the ball on the penalty area line (It did look just outside the area) and soon after a penalty to St,Austell was awarded when some witnesses said was outside.After two dissent yellow cards Reski netted the perfect spot kick (82m) with Barnes stretched in the right direction.

For the remaining minutes it was a one man show from Barnes who denied Eddy twice in succession when in on goal before a late strike by Grant sealed the points for a deserved St Austell victory.

An pleasant afernoon in good weather and friendly hosts